Need advice on hops to use!

drunkenlizard · May 6, 2012

So, i messed up my grain bill and ended up with following (I'm using fermentis american ale yeast so I guess it will be similar to a stout):

8 lbs pale 2 row
3.5 lbs munich
1.5 lbs carafa 3 (i know that's too much, but too late for that)
.75 lbs honey malt

and here are the hops I have in stock:

saaz, hallertau, chinook, cenntenial and cascade. So what would be the best hop combination? My first thought was to go with chinook/cascade/hallertau, or just chinook/cascade, but I would like to know what you think. thanks!

bjl110 · May 6, 2012

I'd probably go Chinook for bittering and leave it. You could use cascade or hallertau (id go hallertau if you made me choose) for finishing, but I don't have any experience using them together. I would think that the cascade would overpower them and that they would kinda clash, but like I said, no experience with those two together.

Stephonovich · May 6, 2012

I'd save the Saaz and Hallertau for pale ales or something similar. One of your three C's all the way. Honestly, all the Carafa III is going to bitter it up with a lot of color. I know it seems heretical, but have you thought about dropping the Carafa all together and going with a pale ale or IPA? 2 Row, Munich, and Honey malt is a great combo.

bobbrews · May 6, 2012

Sounds like a very Black IPA...not a stout. But it depends on mash temp and gravity too.

Chinook, Centennial, and Cascade all the way.

bwomp313 · May 7, 2012

yeah I agree with the 3 c's...however I'm curious, are these grains all mixed together already? is there any reason you can't save some of that carafa III for another time?

drunkenlizard · May 7, 2012

Ya, all the grains I listed are already milled together, that was my big 'mistake'. I really like the sound of the black IPA, so I might just try that out. I knew once I milled it that it was to be a failure, but I would rather just go for it than toss it and start over.

bwomp313 · May 7, 2012

you should just go for it. carafa III is fairly mild compared to a lot of other dark grains. if it's overpowering when you drink it, you could always age it-i'm sure it'll mellow

sonex · May 7, 2012

Ok, if your going for a dark IPA Bitter with chinook @ 60 min. then hop burst with either the cenntenial or cascade (your choice) @ 20, 15, 10, 5 and at flame out, then dry hop. You could also do a 50-50 mix of cent and cascade for each of the late additions.